Middle Childhood Race Chats – Preventative

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As kids grow older, race chats are likely to become more involved and complex. Between 8 and 12 years of age and beyond, preventative race conversations can focus on different types of inequalities. They can also provide an opportunity to discuss ways we can respond. Children are working to understand who they are and where they fit in. So talking to them about family and racial history can help them understand their own developing racial identities. You might ask them what they like about being part of their racial group. Or if there is anything that is hard about it. You could start a conversation by asking what they think it means to be White or Black or Asian or Multiracial. Or you can ask how they think their life would be different if they were a different race or ethnicity. These questions can prompt discussions about the meaning of race and racial stereotypes and remind them that you are open and comfortable having conversations about race.